Modular bullet bank

ABSTRACT

A modular bullet bank is provided. A modular bullet bank includes a unitary rectangular box configured for movement as a single unit from location to location and a collection unit contained within the unitary rectangular box and configured for collecting bullets. The unitary rectangular box is constructed with sheet metal container construction walls.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63/300,488 filed on Jan. 18, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

INTRODUCTION

The disclosure generally relates to a bullet bank or a bullet trapping device useful as part of a shooting range.

A shooting range or a gun range is a facility where one may go to practice target shooting. A shooting range features live firing of firearms in a shooting lane, wherein bullets are sent downrange at high speed. A bullet bank or a bullet trapping device may be disposed at an end of the shooting lane, where the bullet is deflected and collected for later disposal.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device and system may be utilized outdoors. In one embodiment, the disclosed device and system may be utilized in combination with or to replace a dirt or earth berm outdoor range. The disclosed device and system prevents lead and other projectiles from entering the dirt or earth berm and eliminates a task of mining the dirt or earth berm for the spent projectiles, eliminates lost range operation time for such a mining task, and reduces operating costs of the range.

A modular bullet bank is provided. A modular bullet bank includes a unitary rectangular box configured for movement as a single unit from location to location and a collection unit contained within the unitary rectangular box and configured for collecting bullets. The unitary rectangular box is constructed with sheet metal container construction walls.

In some embodiments, the collection unit includes a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion and a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator. The collection unit further includes a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes a bullet receiving cylinder and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank further includes auxiliary panels configured for extending in a same direction as walls of the tapered intake funnel.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary panels are further configured to rotate and close to protect the collection unit during movement.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets. The modular bullet bank is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank may be carried by a shipping container trailer.

According to one alternative embodiment, a shooting range including a modular bullet bank is provided. The shooting range includes a shooter stand, a deployable target, and the modular bullet bank disposed downrange of the deployable target and including a collection unit configured for collecting bullets. The modular bullet bank is constructed with container construction walls and is configured for movement as a single unit from location to location.

In some embodiments, the collection unit includes a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion and a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator. The collection unit further includes a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator.

In some embodiments, the shooting range further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes a bullet receiving cylinder and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank further includes auxiliary panels configured for diverting bullets into the modular bullet bank.

In some embodiments, the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets. The modular bullet bank is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank may be carried by a shipping container trailer.

According to one alternative embodiment, a modular shooting range including a bullet bank is provided. The modular shooting range includes a shooter stand, a deployable target, and the bullet bank disposed downrange of the deployable target and including a collection unit. The collection unit includes a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion and a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator. The collection unit further includes a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator. The shooting range is constructed with container construction walls and is sectioned into pieces that are configured for movement from location to location.

In some embodiments, the bullet bank further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes a bullet receiving cylinder and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.

In some embodiments, the bullet bank further includes auxiliary panels configured for extending in a same direction as walls of the tapered intake funnel.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in top view an exemplary modular bullet bank, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the modular bullet bank of FIG. 1 in front view, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the bullet bank of FIG. 1 in side view, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a bullet bank installed as part of a shooting range in perspective view, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the modular bullet bank of FIG. 1 in an open state, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary path a bullet takes transitioning from the tapered intake funnel of FIG. 1 to the cylindrical bullet decelerator of FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates in perspective view an alternative bullet bank including a collection unit embodied as a rubberized block, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an outdoor shooting range including a shooting stand, a dirt berm, a target stand, and the bullet bank of FIG. 7 , in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bullet bank or a bullet trapping device may capture or collect bullets fired downrange in a shooting lane.

A bullet bank includes a collection unit useful for or configured for trapping bullets. A number of different collection units may be used. In one embodiment, a collection unit may include a rubberized block. In another embodiment, a collection unit may include an escalator design, with a series of alternating surfaces receiving bullet impacts and depleting kinetic energy of the bullets.

Angled surfaces constructed with strong substances, such as steel, may be used to deflect bullets. Whereas a bullet striking a flat surface aligned perpendicular to a path of the bullet impacts that surface and expends considerable or most of its kinetic energy upon that flat surface. The bullet may shatter or shed debris upon such a square hit upon a surface. Bullets may be constructed of lead, and government regulations may strictly govern collection and disposal of lead.

A modular bullet bank is provided. The disclosed bullet bank includes a first portion including a tapered intake funnel configured for deflecting incoming bullets toward a center of the tapered intake funnel and a second portion including a cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for providing a circular path for the incoming bullets to move along and expend kinetic energy. After spinning within the cylindrical bullet decelerator, the bullets drop into a collection container. Because the bullets do not hit a square or perpendicular surface, the bullets arrive in the collection container largely intact, with little or no debris being released from the bullet. As a result, lead contamination is greatly reduced. As a modular unit, the bullet bank may be used to replace less environmentally friendly options such as using a dirt berm to stop bullets. Such dirt berms are environmentally difficult, wherein costly procedures to recover or mine the lead out of the berm are operated periodically.

In one embodiment, the bullet bank may be constructed as a modular design, for example, with container construction walls, rigid reinforcing features, and lift points, enabling the bullet bank to be moved and deployed where desired. Such modular design may be useful, for example, in following a mobile unit such as a military unit.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like features throughout the several views, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates in top view an exemplary bullet bank 10. The bullet bank 10 is modular, meaning that it may be moved, deployed, and recovered as a single carriable or liftable unit. The bullet bank 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes six collection units 20. A bullet bank 10 may include any number of collection units 20. Each collection unit 20 includes a tapered intake funnel 30 and a cylindrical bullet decelerator 40.

The bullet bank 10 may further include container construction walls 12 and a door 14, enabling one to enter the bullet bank 10 to retrieve collected bullets. The bullet bank 10 may be modularly constructed, such that the bullet bank 10 may be picked up and moved around as a unit. In another embodiment, the bullet bank may be constructed in a fixed shooting range.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the bullet bank 10 of FIG. 1 in front view. The six collection units 20 are illustrated, including the tapered intake funnels 30. Each of the tapered intake funnels 30 are angled steeply inward, such that a bullet striking one of the walls of the tapered intake funnels 30 is channeled inwardly toward a center 35 of the corresponding tapered intake funnel 30.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the bullet bank 10 of FIG. 1 in side sectional view. The bullet bank 10 is illustrated including one of the collection units 20. The collection unit 20 is illustrated, including the tapered intake funnel 30 and the cylindrical bullet decelerator 40. The tapered intake funnel 30 may include a first portion 32 and a second portion 34, fitted together by a vertical seam. The cylindrical bullet decelerator 40 includes a bullet receiving cylinder 42, a bullet capture funnel 44, and a collection container 46. A bullet entering through the tapered intake funnel 30 crosses into the bullet receiving cylinder 42, where the bullet is received on trajectory parallel to or nearly parallel to a tangent line of the inner diameter of the bullet receiving cylinder 42. As a result, the bullet does not strike a wall of the bullet receiving cylinder 42 squarely or perpendicularly, but rather, skims around an inside of the cylinder shape, expending kinetic energy as friction against the inner walls of the bullet receiving cylinder 42. As the bullet slows down, it drops into the bullet capture funnel 44 and then into the collection container 46.

The bullet bank 10 is further illustrated including auxiliary panels 36 and 38. The auxiliary panels 36 and 38 may be angled to act as extensions to the tapered intake funnel 30. The auxiliary panels 36 and 38 may further be rotatable, such that when the bullet bank 10 is being moved, the auxiliary panels 36 and 38 may be closed over the openings of the tapered intake funnels 30 of the bullet bank 10, thereby protecting the tapered intake funnels 30 from damage during movement. Additionally, door 14 is illustrated, enabling one to enter the bullet bank 10 to collect bullets from the collection container 46.

The bullet bank 10 and the collection units 20 of FIGS. 1-3 are exemplary. Other devices are utilized in the art to trap bullets, for example, including a horizontal trap or a horizontal helical trap. The bullet bank 10 disclosed herein may utilize other bullet trap configurations, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided herein.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a bullet bank 10 installed as part of a shooting range 100 in perspective view. The shooting range 100 is illustrated with modular, container construction type walls, such that the shooting range 100 including the bullet bank 10 may be mobile and capable of being deployed in multiple locations. The shooting range is illustrated further including a shooting stand 110 where a user may be located during shooting operations and two targets 120, for example, being mobile along a length of the shooting range 100 on mobile car devices situated on tracks. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , one can see that the shooting range 100 includes three modular segments that may each be sized to fit on a truck trailer, lined up end to end. With this construction, three 18 wheel trucks could be used to move and set up shooting range 100.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the modular bullet bank 10 of FIG. 1 in an open state. The modular bullet bank 10 is illustrated with a roof panel removed for clarity of illustration. In normal operation, a top of the illustrated bullet bank 10 would include a flat sheet metal top. The modular bullet bank 10 is illustrated including six tapered intake funnels 30 and six cylindrical bullet decelerators 40. The modular bullet bank is further illustrated including the door 14 and the auxiliary panel 36. FIG. 5 illustrates the modular bullet bank 10 in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets. Upon closure of the auxiliary panel 36 and the door 14, the modular bullet bank 10 would present an outer rectangular surface similar to a cargo container. The modular bullet bank 10 is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank may be carried by a shipping container trailer.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an exemplary path 200 a bullet takes transitioning from the tapered intake funnel 30 of FIG. 1 to the cylindrical bullet decelerator 40 of FIG. 1 . Two angled straight walls of a tapered intake funnel 30 are illustrated merging with a wall of a cylindrical bullet decelerator 40. The path 200 is illustrated, including two points 210 where the bullet strikes walls of the collection unit. Because the bullet does not strike a wall squarely or perpendicularly, the path 200 is merely redirected at each of the two points 210. Once the path enters the cylindrical bullet decelerator 40, the path 200 becomes circular, as the bullet skims around an interior wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator 40. The bullet will eventually hit a portion of the straight wall of the tapered intake funnel 30 that is located within the cylindrical bullet decelerator 40, but wall is again angled significantly with respect to the path of the bullet at the point of impact, so the bullet will continue to decelerate/expect kinetic energy without shattering or shedding debris.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates in perspective view an alternative bullet bank 310 including a collection unit 330 embodied as a rubberized block. The bullet bank 310 includes a block shaped or rectangular shaped outer wall 320 constructed with container construction walls, meaning that the walls may be made of a rigid material such as sheet metal, may include corrugations or reinforcement ribs, and assembled together form a rigid box that may be treated, lifted, carried, or otherwise handled as a unit. Auxiliary panels 340 (which may be described as an eyebrow) and 350 (which may be described as a kick plate) are illustrated deployed to aid in diverting bullets into the bullet bank 310. A collection unit 330 embodied as a rubberized block is illustrated. The bullet bank 310 is illustrated constructed upon a liftable platform 360 including forklift holes 362, enabling the bullet bank 310 to be lifted and moved as desired.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an outdoor shooting range including a shooting stand 370, a dirt berm 390, a target stand 380, and the bullet bank 310 of FIG. 7 . The bullet bank 310 has been deployed to the outdoor shooting range where the dirt berm 390 had formerly been utilized to stop bullets. By retrofitting the outdoor shooting range with the bullet bank 310, lead bullets no longer are deposited into the dirt berm 390. The auxiliary panels 340 and 350 are illustrated in their deployed states, further diverting bullets into the bullet bank 310.

While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular bullet bank comprising: a unitary rectangular box configured for movement as a single unit from location to location; and a collection unit contained within the unitary rectangular box and configured for collecting bullets; wherein the unitary rectangular box is constructed with sheet metal container construction walls.
 2. The modular bullet bank of claim 1, wherein the collection unit includes: a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion; a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator; and a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator.
 3. The modular bullet bank of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of collection units side-by-side.
 4. The modular bullet bank of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes: a bullet receiving cylinder; and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.
 5. The modular bullet bank of claim 2, further comprising auxiliary panels configured for extending in a same direction as walls of the tapered intake funnel.
 6. The modular bullet bank of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary panels are further configured to rotate and close to protect the collection unit during movement.
 7. The modular bullet bank of claim 1, wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets; and wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for being carried upon a shipping container trailer.
 8. A shooting range including a modular bullet bank comprising: a shooter stand; a deployable target; and the modular bullet bank disposed downrange of the deployable target and including: a unitary rectangular box configured for movement as a single unit from location to location; and a collection unit contained within the unitary rectangular box and configured for collecting bullets; and wherein the unitary rectangular box is constructed with container construction walls and is configured for movement as a single unit from location to location.
 9. The shooting range of claim 8, wherein the collection unit includes: a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion; a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator; and a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator.
 10. The shooting range of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of collection units side-by-side.
 11. The shooting range of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes: a bullet receiving cylinder; and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.
 12. The shooting range of claim 8, wherein the modular bullet bank further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.
 13. The shooting range of claim 8, wherein the modular bullet bank further includes auxiliary panels configured for diverting bullets into the modular bullet bank.
 14. The shooting range of claim 8, wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets; and wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for being carried upon a shipping container trailer.
 15. A modular shooting range including a modular bullet bank comprising: a shooter stand; a deployable target; and the modular bullet bank disposed downrange of the deployable target and including a collection unit, the collection unit including: a tapered intake funnel including a narrow center portion; a cylindrical bullet decelerator connected to the narrow center portion of the tapered intake funnel and configured for receiving a bullet tangential to an inner wall of the cylindrical bullet decelerator; and a collection container disposed below the cylindrical bullet decelerator configured for catching bullets that drop out of the cylindrical bullet decelerator; and wherein the modular shooting range is constructed with container construction walls and is sectioned into pieces that are configured for movement from location to location.
 16. The modular shooting range of claim 15, wherein the modular bullet bank further includes a plurality of collection units side-by-side.
 17. The modular shooting range of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical bullet decelerator includes: a bullet receiving cylinder; and a bullet capture funnel configured to channel dropping bullets into the collection container.
 18. The modular shooting range of claim 15, wherein the modular bullet bank further includes auxiliary panels configured for extending in a same direction as walls of the tapered intake funnel.
 19. The modular shooting range of claim 15, wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in an open state wherein the modular bullet bank is useful to collect bullets; and wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for operation in a closed state wherein the modular bullet bank is configured for being carried upon a shipping container trailer. 